Industry/research

Prospect members working in industry and research span an array of commercial and non-commercial bodies and encompass a vast range of roles, from policy and central government administration to hands-on product research and development.

Some of these organisations have been spun out of the public sector – such as the Building Research Establishment; the former government agency which is now an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation for the construction sector; and the British Board of Agrément; another independent not-for-profit organisation which provides quality assurance to the construction industry by assessing manufacturers' products, systems and procedures to ensure they are 'fit for purpose'.

Other members work in central government, for example in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, in roles designed to stimulate innovation and create markets to serve the long-term interests of both business and consumers; in non-departmental bodies such as the National Measurement Office, guardian of the UK's system of weights and measures; or for household names such as Rolls Royce, the power-systems manufacturer and developer, and the Royal Mint.

Their expertise spans the worlds of construction; IT and telecoms; engineering; naval and maritime systems; property management and facilities; heritage; medical diagnostics; bioresearch; and waste management and recycling consultancy roles.

Despite the disparate nature of this sector, the support provided by Prospect is a common theme whoever the employer, providing collective negotiation on issues related to pay, grading, terms and conditions as well as individual representation where necessary.